Page 30 of The Highlander's Virgin Widow
“I need to go to the village. There are some things I need there.”
Evander narrowed his eyes at her. “Things?”
“Aye,” she responded, her voice curt.
She then made her way to the door, half hoping he wouldn’t stop her and half hoping he would.
Why did she secretly pray that he would grab her wrist and let her push him against the door one more time?
No, this is not normal.
Yet the thought lingered, and she hated it. She hated the power he had over her, and she prayed fervently that he couldn’t see it.
“And one more thing,” she added, turning around as she reached for the doorknob. A strained, wan smile curved her lips as her eyes met his. “If ye ever touch me like that again, one baby goat will be the least of yer worries.”
“Huh?”
“I will stuff yer room with so many baby goats that ye willnae have space to even breathe.”
A flicker of amusement flitted over Evander’s face, but she chose not to address it. She had done enough.
Theyhad done enough.
She pulled the door open and walked out, refusing to say anything else. She could still feel his eyes on her as she walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. It took everything in her not to cast one last glance at him.
The hallway was empty, thank God. However, as she made her way to the new room her maids had set up for her the previous day, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was because she had remained in the apothecary with Evander for so long, or if it was because Lesley and Hudson both retired to their respective quarters.
But the apothecary belonged to Lesley, who could have gone in there at any moment.
Now wasn’t the time to think about that.
Maids greeted her as she continued to walk, the smell of fresh earth filling her nostrils. Everything felt new to her, different, and part of her hated it. Keira hated what this represented, and she hated the fact thathehad stolen her first kiss.
Her very own mortal enemy. The man who had swooped right beneath her nose and stolen her castle.
What she hated more than that was the fact that she had enjoyed it. She had enjoyed every minute and had been reluctant to stop. As she stumbled over one of the stones in the yard that led to her door, part of her wondered what the kiss would have led to if she hadn’t put a quick stop to it.
She stopped before her door to take a few deep breaths. Her room was just a floor below the Laird’s, which was only proper because she was still widely respected. So respected that she was still called to settle matters instead of him.
After gathering her strength, ready to put what had just happened behind her, she pushed her door open and walked in. But the sight that greeted her caused her to halt abruptly. She swallowed thickly.
Lesley was sitting on her bed, a sharp, inquisitive look on her face.
“Ye look red,” she noted, staring at her.
“Nay, I dinnae.”
“What did he want? Was it to torture ye again? I have told ye to find a way to stand up to him.”
Keira was rooted to the spot, part of her wondering if she should tell her friend what had just happened. Would her friend understand? Would she give her some advice and steer her in a different direction?
“Are ye going to say anything or nae?” Lesley’s voice had come like a giant horse, barging into her thoughts.
“Get ready,” Keira said instead, ultimately deciding to keep the kiss to herself—for now. “We are going to the village. There are some people I need to meet, and ye will be coming with me.”
“Are ye certain?”
“Aye.”
